07-10-2004
A Salem, Ore., teenager drowned in a former gravel pit while swimming with friends. The victim's friends told firefighters that a paddle broke on a two-person raft that hey had on the water. Strong afternoon winds were blowing the raft away from the shore. It was unclear whether the teenager was in the raft when the oar broke and tried to swim to shore or whether he tried to swim to the raft to help bring it back. His family described him as a strong swimmer but said that he had asthma. His body was found in about 50 feet of water. 'That's the danger of these gravel pits. There are no shallow areas,� said Jim Trett of the Keiser Fire District. He estimated that the pit reaches a depth of 100 feet. (Source: Statesman Journal)